The alarm went off on Sunday morning, and I stumbled out of bed to get ready for our annual "British Summer Time Breakfast Run". The clocks had just gone forward so getting up was an even bigger shock than usual.
The weather in Northampton was bright and sunny and things were looking good..
Setting off I found my first problem of the day as the bike stopped with a clunk. I had forgot to remove the disc lock. Linn my passenger was not impressed.
With that sorted we set off again arriving in good time for the 10am start from the square in Higham Ferrers.
Fourteen bikes ranging from near new to very much older where at the start. Mark, Pip and Melvin all on their elderly Panthers but despite this I think its safe to say in general our group of riders were older than the bikes.
We all set off at the appointed time behind Matt heading for Duloe near St Neots by some narrow minor roads. We were going at a slow pace initially because of the older bikes but this became an even slower pace because of the fog. Once again we had managed to organise a run in fog and freezing cold when the rest of the country is basking in sunshine. The fog and cold got worse as we went east.
What a relief to arrive at Duloe village hall and its tea urn.
The East Anglian Cyclemotor Club (EACC) were holding their "Duloe Daffodil Dash" a low speed but highly entertaining moped run around the local countryside.
We had arrived to have a look at the eccentric collection of machines and equally eccentric riders and watch them set off amidst a great cloud of smoke and noise. We were not disappointed.
When all was quiet and the EACC had pedalled off it was time for us to move on to the breakfast aspect of our ride. I had my sat nav so was elected to lead us to Grafham Waters vistor centre. I set the machine to take the shortest route rather than the fastest route.
This involved going down some narrow lanes, then through a deep ford in full flow. At this point I wished the sat nav had a sensible route option. We continued on and joined the A1 dual carrigeway. Ten minutes later we were sitting down to breakfast and beginning to warm up despite the door to the terrace being locked in the open position with a notice ordering it to be left open.
Breakfast was good although a bit more expensive than we usually pay, but then you need to remember we are a gang of cheapskates.
After breakfast we emerged into sunshine, at last.
After a short discussion people headed off in small groups to their homes or even other peoples homes for further sustenance.
We were almost the last to leave and were going straight home so Linn could get some work done. I resumed my away with the fairies mindset and promptly tumbled off the bike at two mph on a camber as I turned left leaving the car park right in front of Dave on his Bonneville. No real damage done and with Daves help we got the bike up and were soon on our way. This little incident and setting off with the disk lock on earlier have now got Linn thinking my mind is on its way out. She may be right but I think I have always been like this. Time will tell.
See some ride out photos on gallery 2.
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